Shoreline permit

Contact us before you do shoreline work

For lakes and wetlands, a permit is needed for most work that occurs below the Ordinary High-Water Line (OHWL) or the 100-year Flood Elevation. Typically the OHWL is located where aquatic vegetation changes to predominantly terrestrial or upland vegetation, but this isn't always the case. The 100-year Floodplain Elevation is a set elevation for each lake.

For information about the OHWL or 100-year Flood Elevation of a lake, please contact RPBCWD or the Minnesota DNR.

Illustration of a shoreline showing the ordinary high water level and 100-year flood elevation locations.

Shoreline Activities that require a permit

Below is sample of shoreline work that requires a permit. This list is NOT all inclusive. Contact RPBCWD to see if your proposed project requires a permit.

Adding riprap, rocks, landscaping blocks, or other hardscaping
Adding a beach (sand blanket)
Disturbing soils (grading, excavating, adding soil, dredging, etc.)
Building or expanding a structure such as a building or bridge
Clearing upland/terrestrial vegetation near and along the shoreline.
Control of most native aquatic plants (Minnesota DNR permit).

100-year Flood Elevations

Every major lake within the watershed district has a set 100-year flood elevation. Download a map of the major lake 100-year flood elevations or see the table below.


LAKE NAME	100-YR FLOOD ELEVATION
Ann	957.63
Duck	916.16
Hyland	819.55
Idlewild	856.55
Lotus	897.46
Lucy	957.86
Mitchell	872.05
Neill	812.02
Purgatory Creek Recreation Area	825.78
Red Rock	840.99
Riley	866.24
Rice Marsh	877.77
Round	883.83
Silver	900.67
Staring	818.04
Susan	884.74

Resources

Flood Maps

Use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to find a flood map.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Permitting

Water Permits (external link) - Includes "Do I need a permit?", information about aquatic plant control, lake aeration, and more
Shoreline Alterations Information Sheets
- Beach Blanket (pdf)
Aquatic plant management and permitting

Questions?

Mat Nicklay

mnicklay@rpbcwd.org

952-607-6512 ext. 2

District Rules & Permits

RPBCWD has its own rules, separate from county and city rules and ordinances. Learn about rules and how to apply for a permit.

Learn more

The Minnesota DNR regulates aquatic plants including their removal. Visit their Aquatic Plant Management Program webpage for more information including if you need an aquatic plant permit.

AIS Control

RPBCWD chemically treats some lakes to control aquatic invasive species (AIS) including Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil. Click the link below to learn about the treatment schedule for the current year.